American tech company L3Harris Technologies has been selected to provide preliminary designs for the next generation submarine tender, a support vessel that will provide expeditionary maintenance and repairs for US Navy submarines.
As explained the company will support the development of the AS(X) ship specifications, interface specifications, ship cost estimates and construction schedules under the base AS(X) Concept Refinement and Preliminary Design contract.
The nine-month study includes options for an additional nine-month Concept Refinement and Preliminary Design update and an overarching 36-month period for special studies.
The AS(X) will be capable of providing support and maintenance for up to four submarines, replacing the US Navy’s two aging tenders, USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40), commissioned in 1979.
The current tenders provide intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, hotel services and logistics support at sea to nuclear-powered guided missile (SSGNs) and attack submarines (SSNs) deployed in the 5th and 7th fleets areas of responsibility.
L3Harris’ Herndon, Virgina, facility will perform the program management and engineering design tasks. The work for the design development will be conducted with US shipbuilder Philly Shipyard and Fincantieri’s subsidy Vard.